‘Summer Knockouts' this Saturday in Denham Springs

Well, the summer is here, and Gladiator Promotions is heating up the North Park Center in Denham Springs with a "Summer Knockouts" mixed martial arts event this Saturday, June 22.

"We have a lot of local talent on the card this Saturday," Tony Jarreau, president of Gladiator Promotions, said. "We will feature many fighter debuts and a super-heavy weight match with a combined total of 750 pounds in the cage."

"Summer Knockouts" will feature 10 action-packed fights. The main event will be between lightweight fighters Chris Friddle and Tarron Rogers. They will battle it out as they try to move up in the lightweight division.

"The 155-pound division is by far the greatest weight class in Louisiana," Jarreau said. "With fighters like Calvin Miller, Thomas Webb, Kyle Bradley and Kurk Holobaugh; both Tarron and Chris want to join these names as the top 155ers in Louisiana. This fight will add one of their names to that list."

Friddle has won five out of six of his fights by submission. He is slick on the ground when it comes to his Brazilian jiu jitsu. Rogers, however, is more of a striker and trains at Gladiator's Academy of Baton Rouge.

"Tarron is known for his good striking," Friddle said. "I hope we keep things standing and give the fight fans a great fight."

Friddle's training partner at Sweatshop MMA, Taz Hendricks, will be featured as the co-main event. Hendricks is challenging Dwight Gipson, who trains at Combat Alliance in Fort Polk, to a much-anticipated rematch. Hendricks has only one loss on his record and that was to Gipson by TKO in the second round. He'll definitely be looking to redeem himself this Saturday night.

"I do think I will win again," Gipson said. "I know my standup is better than his, and my ground game is too. I want this win more than he does. My record is 4-6 now and soon to be 5-6 after this fight."

There will be a strike-only match between Randall Johnson of Watson and Chris Ganey of Walker. These two 205-pound fighters should give a great show to fans who enjoy standup fighting entertainment.

Stick around for intermission as Gladiator's Promotions will add additional entertainment for its fight fans. The half-time show will feature a live performance by the Xtreme School of Dance break dancing team led by Chris Medlock.

"If you haven't seen these young kids in action, you are in for a treat," Jarreau said.

Fights start at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. General admission tickets start at $20. Purchase tickets at Laguna Beach Daiquiris or Big Mike's Bar and Grill in Denham Springs. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.gladiatorpromotions.com. For VIP tables and tickets, call 225-333-8305.

"Summer Knockouts" at the North Park Center in Denham Springs on June 22, 2013. Photo provided by Gladiator Promotions